Woburn Sands Fire Station

Woburn Sands Fire Station

Woburn Sands was quite late in setting up a Fire Brigade. Woburn had one much earlier, which looked after the Abbey. There was certainly no Woburn Sands fire station in 1877 when there was a fire at Mr Featherstonehaugh’s ropeworks, as Woburn fire brigade had to come. The Leighton Buzzard Observer & Linslade Gazette – Tuesday 15 May 1877:

“WOBURN SANDS Fire. A fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Featherstonhaugh, rope maker, &c., about four o’clock on Monday afternoon, the 7th instant. It originated in the store-room or workshop adjoining the house. The Woburn Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, and, having got the hose in readiness, it was found that water was lacking, which had to be drawn from a well 100 feet deep by hand. What with detaching the burning rafters, beams, and about eight tons of tow and jute, and sheeting, and properly directing the water upon the burning materials, the Fire Brigade and many neighbours and friends had a very difficult and arduous task to perform, but by their strenuous efforts the house was kept from sharing the fate of the store-room, and the fire was entirely subdued about seven o’clock. A young man who was at work was very badly burned, Mr. Featherstonhaugh’s aged father, who was ill, had to quickly be removed from the house, and we hear has since died.”

Thankfully, loss of life from fire was quite rare, but many hay stacks and barns were lost over the years, and the “Cyclist’s Rest” building at the corner of Station Road and Weathercock Lane burnt to the ground in 1906. By 1910, there had been a decision that the area needed its own Brigade. From the Beds. Times of 23rd Sept. 1910:

“A FIRE BRIGADE TO BE FORMED – The members of the Parish Council for Woburn Sands, Aspley Guise, and Aspley Heath met in the Parish Room on Monday evening, under the chairmanship of the vicar, (the Rev. D. H. Henry) to consider the report of the Joint Committees on the provision of fire appliances. They suggested the voluntary provision of hose etc., for the first two, and an engine if the Heath came in. It was pointed out that the pressure on the hydrants would be sufficient for all purposes except at certain points on the Heath, and Mr, Plater undertook to inquire in that neighbourhood and find out feeling as to joining in and procuring the requisite money. Independent of this it was agreed that a voluntary system should be adopted, the business side was to be managed by a Committee apart from the fire service, which was to be controlled by the officers responsible to the Committee, and a sub-Committee was appointed to collect funds and get things into shape as soon as the Rural District Councils concerned gave satisfactory undertakings about the water etc.”

Letters were duly dispatched to the councils concerned. From the Luton Times, 30th September 1910:

“WOBURN SANDS. FIRE BRIGADE – At the Ampthill Rural District Council, the Clerk read a letter from Dr. Fowler, of Aspley Guise, stating that it had been decided to form a Fire Brigade for Aspley Guise, Aspley Heath, and Woburn Sands, under the control of the parochial authorities jointly. They asked for facilities for water supply, and asked this Council to receive a deputation on October 6th. It was decided to inform Dr. Fowler that they had better apply to the joint committee of this and the Newport Pagnell Councils, who could deal with it right away.”

… although it was to be May 1913 before it finally got off the ground. The Luton Times again:

“WOBURN SANDS. FIRE BRIGADE. Messrs. W. Whitlock, Spice. Brett, J. Barker, J. R. Davis and Simmonds have been appointed as Brigadiers of the Fire Brigade. The first practice was held on Wednesday evening in Vicarage-street under Dr. Fowler’s instructions.”

Once the local authorities had paid to get a Brigade up and running, serious consideration had to be given to funding its continuation. In those days, the Brigade charged for attending fires. This is why businesses usually had a fire insurance policy, sometimes with a sign on the building to prove it! The Luton Times February 1914:

“WOBURN SANDS. FIRE BRIGADE CHARGES – The following is the scale charges for the services the Fire Brigade:- Outside the parish and within the area of the water supply of the Rural District Council: use of plant. 30s.; each officer employed, 1st hour 2s 6d.; every subsequent hour. 1s. 6d.; each fireman. 1s. 6d. and 1s. ditto; each caller. 1s. and 4d. ditto; summons a neighbouring Brigade 3d. a mile each way; refreshments and other expenses, the amount paid out; serious damage to plant or uniforms, the actual cost.”

Eventually, it came under the umbrella of the Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade. The local firefighters served the town through two world wars and many incidents before the station was deemed surplus to modern requirements and closed.

It had be empty for some time in the 1990’s, when it was converted into a Youth Club in 1998. One volume of the “Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade Occurrence Book” for Woburn Sands Fire Station was found in the rafters of the building. I imagine its loss at the time would have caused some consternation! I made notes on it, then passed it back to the Youth Club, whom I believe deposited it with Bucks Fire Brigade.

Woburn Sands was Station no.13, the other local ones being: Wolverton (no.10), Olney (no.11) and Newport Pagnall (no.12). The book begins on Monday 7th September 1959 and closes Wednesday 16th September 1964. Those present at the start of the book are:

During the period covered, Firefighter Hill and Firefighter Capp (M) also join the station.

An entry was made in it every time any person was present, for a drill, inspection or call-out. Other senior officers sometimes came to inspect the station, such as DO Sloan, ADO Bailey, ADO Pragnall and CFO Hobbs. The first entry is a typical drill example:

The book was in use when the new M1 Motorway opened. For Emergency services, it was divided into “Boxes” for identification of locations. Northbound, crews got on at Junction 13, and had Boxes 47a, 48 & 49. If they got on at Junction 14, there were boxes 50 and up. Southbound, getting on at Junction 14 there was box 52, 51 & 50. Getting on at Junction 13 there was box 49 & 48. The boxes were not opposite each other in number.

There are very few malicious false alarm call-outs. The large number of chimney fires is evident. Another reason to be grateful for central heating!

Special Events

The Woburn Sands Fire Brigade, a little earlier than the book described here. This photo came from Jack Munn, who could recall the names of his colleagues, even though he was blind. In the ARP hat is Eric Redford, Mrs Shortland on right, Evelyn Wright on the left played organ at St Michaels, Jim Purcell, Joe Purcell, Arthur Purcell, Ernie Burton, Wally Champkin, Mr Lamont the bank manager, Sid Wooding of the fish shop, Wally Jenkins, Sid Davies, Mr Shortland, Harold White, Reg Whitmee, Ted Henley, Jack Munn is one of the messenger lads, Mr Garrett the Co-op butcher and son, Arthur Showler, Arthur Cook and John Martin.